For the first time in his UFC career, he’s not the one trying to figure out how to deal with the jet lag that invariably comes from traveling halfway around the globe to fight in a cage.

Kim believes that could prove a real advantage in his UFC on FUEL TV 6 bout with Paulo Thiago (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC), and he’s hoping a good performance will lead to an even bigger opportunity: a chance to represent the UFC in his native land.

“This is the first time (in my UFC career) for me to ever fight in Asia, so that really means a lot to me,” Kim said through a translator. “I think going into this match, if I do well, I’m hoping that will go right into potentially doing a UFC match in Korea next year.”

The UFC hasn’t made a formal commitment to a 2013 event in Korea, but the company has long admitted it hopes to host an event in the republic. Kim would certainly appreciate the convenience of such a fight card, especially since he’s traveled the nearly 6,000 miles from Seoul to Las Vegas for each of his past seven UFC fights.

This time, however, he’s flown considerably less to fight in Macau at Venetian Macau Resort Hotel’s CotaiArena, site of Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 6 card. The same cannot be said for his Brazilian opponent, whose made the journey from South America for the FUEL TV-televised main-card bout.

Kim thinks that will likely work in his favor.

“I don’t have to really adjust to the time difference like I do when I go to Las Vegas, so I’m sleeping well,” Kim said. “For me, personally, I think … [Thiago] is going to have a really uphill battle. I think for him fighting in Asia for the first time, he has to overcome the jet lag and the time differences.”

Most of the focus heading into Saturday’s event has centered around the card’s headliners, Rich Franklin and Cung Le. But for Kim, the fight is certainly a big one. In July, his fight with Demian Maia was cut short when a rib injury forced a stoppage just 47 seconds into the fight. While one could hardly count the loss as a real setback, the official result means the perennial contender has registered just one UFC win in the past 21 months.

Prior to the recent setbacks, Kim had been considered a bit of under-the-radar contender in the welterweight division. Now, he’ll need a positive result simply to remain relevant in the division. Now 10 fights into his octagon career, Kim said he recognizes exactly what’s at stake. And with goals like an appearance in Korea, Kim knows exactly what’s on the line.

“UFC is where the fittest survive,” Kim said. “For me to be able to fight my 10th match in the UFC, that really means a lot. I’m really preparing myself to put on a great show this Saturday.”